Verstappen to race for Toro Rosso in 2015

Max Verstappen will race for Toro Rosso in 2015, it has been confirmed on Red Bull-owned Servus TV.

Verstappen recently joined Red Bull's young driver programme and is currently in second place in the Formula Three European Championship, having claimed eight victories in his first season of car racing.

The Dutch driver, son of former Formula 1 racer Jos, will be 17-years-old when he makes his debut next year.

He will race alongside Daniil Kvyat, leaving Jean-Eric Vergne without a drive.

"First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Helmut Marko and Red Bull for all their trust and giving me the chance to make my Formula debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso," he said.

"Ever since I was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true.

"I will give my absolute best to be successful in the pinnacle of motorsport. With the return of the Verstappen name to Formula 1, I hope we can relive old memories and I’m hoping to see many fans at all the Grand Prix circuits."

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost welcomed Verstappen, as well as wishing good fortune to outgoing driver Vergne.

"We are happy to welcome Max into the Toro Rosso family," he said. "We consider Max to be as one of the most skilled young drivers of the new generation and we believe he has the necessary maturity and mental strength to take on this challenge successfully."

"With this in mind, I would also like to thank Jean-Eric Vergne for all his hard work. He has produced strong performances, but unfortunately he was also hindered by some reliability problems, especially in the first half of the current season.

"We hope that we have resolved these problems and that he will be able to end the second half of this season on a high note and thereby show that he still deserves another opportunity in Formula 1."